Our mind is influential, and living in fear is a natural experience. We forget that we can observe our fear and change our response.
Fear. What Is It Good For?
We All Experience Fear
As a fundamental part of being human, everyone encounters fear. Panic originates in our limbic system (our lizard brain).
Fear is based on the belief that we are in jeopardy. Sensing danger can undoubtedly protect us from injury by transmitting a charge of adrenaline to help us deal with possible hazards.
Some fear is healthy and considered rational, as the response from seeing a rattlesnake and the fear-based response elicited will prompt you to stay away. But some are irrational and based on our programming, false belief system or a past traumatic experience, like fear of ants, speaking in public or flying.
But we might not always be aware of current anxieties as genuine or not, and instead, they may keep us from engaging fully in life. When we understand that fear is a state of mind, we can confront our fears, change our minds creating the life we truly want to experience.
Fear is highly debilitating energy that can prevent us from living our fullest potential and life.
Our minds are like a powerful computer that stores and uses our experiences and judgments as data used later to make connections between perception and response. This stored information is handed down to us from generations before.
The mind also holds everything we’ve encountered since birth. It’s saved, then delivered to the foremind to respond to something we feel is unsafe or harmful in the present moment.
Fortunately for us, we can often observe fear before we react and choose differently – no matter where the fear originated. Each time that little rush of worry starts, we can create new associations by accepting new thoughts.
Fear-Based Response
Here’s an example: You are walking alone on a beautiful, riverfront sidewalk in the middle of the day. Stored in your computer (mind) are stories heard on the news about people being mugged and killed on sidewalks.
Your computer brings this to the foremind as you see a man walking toward you from the opposite direction. You start to discern more ominous facts about the scene playing out as you approach each other – he is wearing a hoodie pulled up over his head, hands shoved into the front pocket; he’s walking quickly, you notice he is only looking at the ground.
The Internal Narative
You may also begin to observe what is around you. Maybe the river walk is deserted, and the shops are closed. Suddenly, the internal narrative grows in your mind, and you start to feel that initial surge of anxiety and the fight or flight response begins.
At that moment, we get to analyze and create a new response and start replacing the old one. It takes practice, however. Our fear-based response can be profound, making further, more appropriate, positive reactions and repetitions necessary.
Fear Is A Robber
Unsubstantiated fear can rob us of having an entire life full of beautiful experiences. The bottom line is that when our hearts and minds are in alignment, we can create a new adventure.
It’s a journey that requires many small steps, patience and courage. When we learn to face our fears and not be ruled by them, we get to create the life we want.
Oh, and that man on the sidewalk? Maybe he’s thinking the same thing – now we have a negative ripple from both sides. Instead, break the chain.
Take A Breath And Live Better
So what is fear good for? True, the flight/fight response is a reaction we need. But maybe a better way to react to sensed fear is to take one breath, identifying first if what’s right in front of you is something you need to fight or run away from.
Living life with negative thoughts and worry can make us sick. Instead, open your heart to positive intent because 98% of the time, it’s not going to happen the way our mind works it out.
I hope this article has served you somehow, and I wish you the very best on your journey through life!
Please share in comments of a fear you’ve kicked to the curb.
The life you have led doesn’t need to be the only life you have.
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Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
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